I’m still in Habakkuk.
When life is challenging, and chaos swirls round about, this prophet settles my soul and brings a fresh delivery of hope.
“Are You not from everlasting, O Lord, my God, my Holy One?” (Habakkuk 1:12, NASB)
One verse so rich with details about our God. Habakkuk reminded himself of what he knew to be true about his God. The wonderful thing is – they are still true today of our God!
- God is everlasting. God is not bound by time or circumstances.
- Our God is Lord. He is the One who made a covenant with His people and will also keep it. He does not forsake His Word nor His people.
- He is our God. He is near to us. He is ours. Personal to each one of us.
- God is our Rock. He is our firm foundation even if everything around us is shaky.
“The prophet focused on the character of God, as Jonah had done when he disagreed with what God doing… Keep in mind that doubt and unbelief are different. Like Habakkuk, the doubter doesn’t abandon God.”
(from The Wiersbe Study Bible, page 1346)
We can bring our questions and our doubts to God. They are not an indication that we are abandoning Him, but rather that we know our answers will be found solely in Him.
Facing our questions, and voicing them, helps us to grow … They cause us to grow in our knowledge of our Lord, our God, our Rock.
Habakkuk brings the reminder that the character of our God can be trusted in every circumstance we face in life.
Scripture does not tell us how long Habakkuk waited for God’s response. It’s probably a good thing, as none of us know how long we will wait for an answer from God.
But the promises and Word of God always apply, and will always bring hope.
His Word was given so that people of all time, and every place, would find hope in their day. His promises will not fail.
“Then the Lord answered me and said, “Record the vision And inscribe it on tablets, That the one who reads it may run. “For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.” (Habakkuk 2:2-3, NASB)
God’s answers will surely come, will not be delayed, and will be right on time.
It all comes down to Habakkuk 2:4 – “But the righteous will live by his faith.”
“To live by faith means to believe God’s Word and obey it no matter how we feel, what we see, or what the consequences may be.”
(from The Wiersbe Study Bible, page 1347)
Grace and faith go hand in hand. As we hold onto God’s Word in obedience, He will supply grace for each day.
“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9, NASB)
The words of Habakkuk help us to become better “waiters” and “watchmen”.
Habakkuk reminds us of God’s patience, and of His desire for all to come to Him.
He is faithful to keep His Word.
In every post, Jennifer often shares a cup of tea and something sweet. The words she shares always bring a dose of encouragement, hope, or comfort. Even in her own great loss and grief, she brought words of comfort and hope. “We left with the thoughts between us that if this is the last goodbye here on Earth, the next hello will be in the glorious gardens of Heaven.” Be sure to read her post “The last Goodbye” Here.
**There will be no linkup next week as we will be on vacation. I’ll meet you all back here on Wednesday, August 7th for another cup of coffee!
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Image 1: Photo by Kristine Cinate on Unsplash
Image 2: Image by Ylanite Koppens from Pixabay
Today I may be joining … Tell His Story
Habakkuk is one of my favorite OT books. Life brings about difficult things, but we can trust God even when we don’t understand why He allows certain things.
Joanne, I needed this reminder today: “God’s answers will surely come, will not be delayed, and will be right on time.” I never thought about the fact that we don’t know how long Habakkuk waited for God’s response. That’s also comforting as I wait for some answers of my own. I hope you have a wonderful vacation!
What a great reminder to start my day. It reminds me of how we too often don’t read the minor prophets who are a treasure trove of truth and encouragement for our walk with God.
Thank you, Joanne for these lovely reminders. I am always comforted when I remember God welcomes all of our questions, and not only that, but as a loving Father, He answers each one perfectly in His perfect time. We can always know we are heard.
Remembering God’s character makes all the difference. Thank you for sharing this OT message of why we can have hope and peace in unsettling times.
Thank you, Joanne, for your wise words and for providing this opportunity to link up! The reminder that God’s grace and our steadfast faith are intertwined is an important one! Patience can be difficult but oh so valuable. It’s usually in those moments of waiting that my faith grows stronger! Wishing you a wonderful vacation and safe travels wherever they may lead you!
That was a lovely surprise see my post featured here this week Joanne, thank you.
And the verse above from Habakkuk 2:2-3 is what the Holy Spirit kept imploring me with to start blogging in 2017.
Blessings my friend,
Jennifer
Thank you for the reminders of God’s faithful love and care.
Joanne, thank you for this delightful journey in Habakkuk with the reminder that “the vision is yet for the appointed time and to wait for it.” God is Faithful and will never fail us! I appreciate Wiersbe’s insight about doubt not abandoning God as unbelief does. I have never pondered their difference in that way.
Enjoy every minute of your vacation! And thank you for all you do!